Help! Red Valonia Outbreak

Outbreak is an understatement. I've been having an issue for some time with a single rock and spreading algae, but the birth of my first child has taken priority over dealing with it. Needless to say, I put it off, and now there is a lot of it in the tank. Hundreds of spores and it is now on multiple rocks.

I removed a lot of the affected rock two weeks ago and manually removed most of the spores then rinsed in tank water before replacing. That seemed to work at first, but now I think I have more spores than before.

I have cut back on feeding and light schedules, but it hasn't done anything.

What do I do? Hydrogen peroxide dip the rocks? Additives? Scrub again? I also have a small rock with a torch coral frag on it and the bubbles are starting to overtake. How should I remedy to make sure it isn't hurt? Coral RX?

I'm a beginner and struggling here! Thanks for any help!

29gal biocube
2 Ocellaris Clownfish
1 Torch coral
Green Star Polyp patch
Snails and Blue Leg Hermit Crabs

 

I feel for you. I had it in my previous tank and couldn't find a way to get rid of it. Unlike green bubble algae it is impossible to pull off rocks without popping and spreading more spores. Reducing light does not help as I had huge clusters of it growing on the bottom side of rocks that got almost no light. I ran heavy GFO and water changes and didn't affect it. It's the sole reason that I used all dry rock in my new tank.

You can scrub your rock and apply H2o2 which will kill it off but if there is any left in the tank it will eventually spread again.

Good luck with the fight. Be sure to post if you find a solution.

 

Do you have any experience with H202? Do you spot treat or dip outside of the tank? 1/10 ratio?

 

I personally spot treated with the full strength peroxide solution (3%) outside of the tank but you have to be careful not to get it on any life you care about. It will also kill the coralline algae it touches and bleach it white. I know others have soaked their rock in a diluted solution but I'm not sure of the ratio. I would think it would have to be stronger than 1/10 but you may want to search the forum and see.

 

Thanks DeeBee. I am going to try to manually remove as much as I can outside of the tank, rinse it and follow up with peroxide. Couple that with a water change and cross my fingers!

 

Have you considered an algae scrubber? You can build one dirt cheap in a bucket.
They do work if done right.
What is your current method of exporting NO3 and PO4?

 

Current method for removing is nothing......besides water changes. I need to add a Protein Skimmer and this is probably my calling to do so.

 

upgrade and find a tang to eat it. thats what I did.